Just over six months after acquiring her trainer’s licence Chloe Bilal will have a starter in the semi-finals of the world’s richest greyhound race, the TAB Million Dollar Chase.
The 30-year-old’s bitch Lime Rock Park caused an upset winning the Regional Final of the Chase at Goulburn on Friday afternoon, booking her berth in the April 29 semi-finals. Another win on that night and Chloe and her greyhound would have a shot at the $1 million prize.
“It’s a bit surreal,” a delighted Chloe said it was mentioned that the reality is that she was one win away from a one in eight chance of $1 million.
“I’ve only had her for a couple of months but set her specifically for this series. I have about 30 in the kennel and some good ones, but she would be one of the better ones.”
Chloe - who only obtained her licence in October last year - trains with her husband at Wollogorang near Collector, meaning Goulburn is her home track, but she wasn’t on course to see Lime Rock Park win the Regional Final.
“I sent the handlers with the dogs to the races. I have too much work to do here with the other dogs we have,” she said. “I will be trying to get there (to Wentworth Park) for the (Million Dollar Chase) semi-finals.”
Lime Rock Park, who had previously been trained in Queensland by Serena Lawrance, improved her record to 15 wins and 13 placings from 33 starts with Friday’s Goulburn success.
Jumping brilliantly from the five box, Lime Rock Park led his rivals by two lengths early, and when her pursuers jammed, she was able to set up what would be a winning break and go on to claim the final in 24.76s.
Hard Bass tried hard finishing second and Mowski Star - who was slowly away - ran home strongly to grab third and also book a berth in the semi-finals.
